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Addiction Uncovered: Why It’s Not A Disease Like Diabetes and What Families Need to Know
You’ve been lied to for too long.
Understanding Addiction’s Complexity
As a family coach working with parents for over 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it is when someone you love struggles with addiction. One narrative that often comes up is the idea that addiction is a disease like diabetes. While this comparison might offer some comfort, it oversimplifies what’s really going on. Families deserve a more complete picture.
I remember a father who once told me, “If it’s a disease, why can’t we just treat it with medication like diabetes?” His frustration was understandable. But addiction is far more complex than that. Understanding this complexity opens new doors for families to support their loved ones meaningfully.
The Role of Context and Behavior
Addiction isn’t solely about biology. Unlike diabetes, it doesn’t follow a single biological pathway. Think of addiction as a story shaped by relationships, environment, trauma history, and choices. I once worked with a family whose son, Matt, turned to substances after moving to a new city where he felt isolated. His struggle wasn’t about a biological malfunction — it…
